S&M vs. Pay to Play

I’m not so concerned if Police Women of Broward County is S&M exploitation as whether they get paid to be on the show. (Yes, I watch this show, as well as Lockup.)

The most obvious criticism of these shows is their exploitation and general tackiness. Police work is reduced to clownish pranks, adrenalin-inducing raids, and telegenic lady cops edited to invoke S&M fantasies for the shlubs watching at home. No one expects much dignity from cable networks, but you’d think, for example, that the Broward County Sheriff’s Department might object to the sexualization of its female officers, or to a national ad campaign insinuating that they’re sporting itchy Taser fingers.

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